Pro Tips for Using the Digital Library

Many of you are using the digital library to help get through this period of social isolation, some maybe for the first time. Here are some tips and tricks to make the Library’s digital materials work even better for you.

Manually return your books to borrow more

To make the best use of the library’s funds, there are some limits on digital collections. For Overdrive, RB Digital and Axis 360 (and a few other digital collections), when you’re done with a book you can return it manually and that’ll free up slots for you to borrow more materials.

More Hoopla Borrows Per Month for COVID-19 Closure

While the library’s closed the decision was made to expand the number of items you can borrow each month through Hoopla from eight to 16.

Don’t forget about Student Cards

All Duval County Public Schools students have a library card! They can log in to any of the library’s digital collections by using their Student ID number (without the S) for the library card and PIN number fields.

Extra Copies Purchased Faster in Overdrive

During the COVID-19 closure, the Library lowered the hold ratio in Overdrive. Normally when an item has more than six holds on it, that’s when another copy is purchased. During the closure, that ratio was dropped to 4:1, so when there are more than four copies of an item on hold, another copy is purchased.

Other Changes

You’ve asked about unlimited checkouts or changes to limits in other collections (e.g., Kanopy) during the COVID-19 closure. There’s a balancing act of how much we spend on digital materials and how we can meet customer demand. We’re reviewing the traffic all the time to see make the most responsible decisions possible.

Do you have a tip we didn’t think of? Let us know in the comments!

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